Mark Richt: Eliminate the kickoff to speed up the game?

I came across this article today (posted yesterday) while surfing the Scout Georgia site. (they come to T-town this year.)

It's an interesting idea. One I DON'T like at all. Granted, he has a good reason and I'll touch on that in a second.

It's weird. Sort of reminds me of how I felt when they basically eliminated the jump ball from basketball...but I digress.

His reasoning? First of all, it is based on several serious injuries that have occured at UGA since he took over the job including one player getting a borken neck. He says he wasn't aware of how violent the collisions were until he moved from the press box to the sidelines.

Geez. While I don't walk the sidelines during football games, two guys getting 20 yard head starts to run into each other? Yeah, that is a collision. It seems like I recall reading a year or so ago that one study concluded it equaled close to a 40mph crash? On the other hand, the collisions/impacts sure have changed over the last 20-25 years.

Maybe he has a point?

I would like to know how he came up with the idea of having each possession start at the 24 yard line. Do you figure that's just the average starting position?

 

I would think that's about right.........especially in the NFL.

I've always said if the rule was that a team would get possession at their 30 yard line if they let it roll into the endzone- more kick-offs run back would end up at the 30. It's like they know they have to AT LEAST get to the 20 to validate their decision to "Run it out" and you can often see them sorta seem satisfied and the don't keep driving their legs when they get into traffic on or beyond the 20.

I'm sure many are going to think I'm crazy for saying that, and don't mean that to say they "Quit" but if anyone watches the body language of the returner, you'll notice what I'm talking about.

As for Richt's idea, he musta seen Trindon Holiday. :grin:

 

:lol:

 

I agree 100% on how players slow day a little bit when they get past the 20 because for one, I am the kick returner of my highschool football team so I know the feeling... when you hit the 20 yeard mark ou just try to find holes so you slow down! Atleast thats what I do... Or you just try to find a way so that you won't get jacked up:lol:

 

He makes a good point about the injuries. But, young players often get to their first shot on special teams & it's exciting to watch - so I sure hope they don't get rid of them.

 

Richt must not have any good kickoff returners for the forseeable future.

 

You bring up an interesting point here.

This reminds me of this saying by David Brent, the leading star on the British version of "The Office." (TV show.) Brent said, "Statistics are like a lamp post to a drunk man, good for leaning on, but not to great for illumination."

That doesn't apply to every position on the football field, but looking at the rankings for kickoff returns that stats don't necessarily reflect how good a player is or can be.

Last year, they had a freshman, Allen, who averaged just over 22 yards per return. The league leader from Auburn, Tristan Davis from Auburn, averaged 27 yards per return.

The telling statistic between the two is Davis had 28 returns compared to Allen with 19. Can you judge one over the other given the difference in the # of opportunities? One would think so until you see UGA scored more times than Auburn.

Moving the kickoff back 5 yards is going to change a lot. In fact, I might dare say that it might put more of a premium on recruiting kickers.

 

Okay, let's also eliminate all tackling. That would spare a lot of injuries.:dis:

 

Yes, the game could be played using dice. The universities would save tons of money by not having to buy any pads or helmets. :grin:

 

id be all for getting rid of kickoffs. while were at it, no field goals either and no kicked extra points. cut the roster way down too so that most players are two way. and, no, i do not want to get rid of the forward pass or helmets.